Foundation for signal-rods for draw-bridges



(No Model.)

J. T. HAMBAY. FOUNDATION FOR SIGNAL RODS FOR DRAW BRIDGES.

170.417.177. Patented Dec. 10, 1889.

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1 i Am ,5. aMwfl n, PETERS. 'Pbclbl-Mographer. w;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. HAMBAY, OF \VlLKINSBURG, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SlVl'lCll AND SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOUNDATION FOR SIGNAL-RODS FOR DRAW-BRIDGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 417,177, dated December 10, 1889.

Application filed October 17, 1889- Serial No. 327,362. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: but preferably of a series of sections secured Be it known that I, JAMES T. HAMBAY, a together by ties or clamps 2, are laid in posicitizen of the United States, residing at \Viltion and held from lateral or vertical diskinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and placement by straps 3. These timbers are State of Pennsylvania, have invented or dissecurely bolted at their-inner ends at the mid coveredacertain newandusefulImprovement dle of the bridge to the frame-work of the in Foundations for Signal-Rods for Draw latter, therebyholding the timbers as against Bridges, of which improvement the following any longitudinal displacement. On these is a specification. timbers I arrange the compensator 5 and the [o The invention described herein relates to draw member 0 of the automatic signal-rod the arrangement of signal and other rods on coupler. The timbers or foundation-pieces draw-bridges. Bridges of this class,or at least may be made comparatively narrow, except the movable members thereof, are generally at those points where the compensators and formed of iron or steel, and expand and conthe draw members of the coupler are placed, tract considerably under the changes of temwhere comparatively broad sections 7 are inperatnre to which they are subjected; and it trodueed. has been customary in laying signal or other It will be readily understood from the forerods which are also'formed of metal on such going that, the timbers or foundations lying bridges to secure the guides and compensator loosely on the bridge, except at their inner 20 directly to some member of the bridge; but ends, which, as hereinbefore stated, are seas the bridge will expand and contract equally cured to the bridge at or near its center of with or a little more than the rods the action movement, the bridge can expand and conof the compensator is neutralized to such an tract,moving under the timbers or foundations extent as to prevent the use of automatic without affecting the latter or the positions of 2 5 couplings between the sections of the rods on the compensator and coupler relative to the 7 5 the bridge and those on the stationary mem center of movement of the draw and to the her of the bridge. abutment; hence the compensators can effect The object of this invention is to provide their intended functions, maintaining the a foundation or support for the compensator rods at a uniform length, and in consequence 30 of such material as will not be aifected as rethereof holding the draw member of the gards longitudinal dimensions by changes in coupler in such position as to readily engage temperature. the abutment member of the coupler when The invention claimed is hereinafter fully the bridge is closed. described. lt will be understood that the founda- 5 In the accompanying drawings, forming a tion-pieces are made of such a length that part of this specification, Figure l. is a diatheir outer ends, carrying the draw member grammatic view showing in plan a portion of of the coupler, will be in such proximity to a draw-bridge having my invention applied the abutment when the bridge is closed that thereto. Fig. 2 a detail view, on an enlarged the members of the coupler will readily en- 40 scale, partly in section and partly in elevagage with each other. 9 tion, showingthe arrangement of foundation It is not necessary that the foundations 62:0 for the rods. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the tending from the middle to the ends of the same, and Fig. l is a sectional. View on the draw should be made independent of each line a: 0/,Fig. 3. other, but may be in one piece or connected 45 In the practice of my invention I arrange together in any suitable manner, provided on the cross-beams or other suitable part of such single or integral piece be secured to the the draw pieces of timber 1, which extend bridge at such point as is not affected by from the middle or center of movement of changes in temperature. the draw to the ends thereof. These timbers, lVhile preferring to extend the foundations 50 each of which may be formed in one piece, sufficiently to permit of the location of the draw member of the coupler thereon with some forms of coupling mechanism, itis only necessary to mount the compensator on the foundations. v

I claim herein as my invention 1. In a draw-bridge, the combination of the draw or movable member and a foundation for the compensator stationary as regards the longitudinal movements of the bridge produced by changes in temperature, substantially as set forth.

2. In a draw-bridge, the combination of the draw or movable member and a non-expansible foundation for signahrod connections arranged along the draw member and seeured thereto at the point or points of least longitudinal movement of the draw, substantially as set forth.

3. In a d raw-bridge, the combination of the draw or movable member and timber or nonexpansible .foui'idations for signal-rodconnections, extending from a point or points at or near its center of movement toward the ends thereof and secured to the draw at their inner ends only, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES 'r. IIAMBAY.

Witnesses:

DARWIN S. WOLOOTT, R. H. WHITTLESEY. 

